Item Number: 6678 UPC: None

Country: USA
Region: California Sub Region: Santa Barbara
Appellation/AVA: Sta. Rita Hills
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vintage: 2011
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Case Production: 4,602
Alc by Vol(%): 14.2

Vintage Notes: Because of a spring frost, Pinot Noir yields from Melville's Sta. Rita Hills estate were 40% lower compared with 2010 averaging 1.6lbs/vine.

Winemaking Notes: This Pinot Noir is a collection of 16 Pinot clones (667, 777, 828, 113, 114, 115, 459, 943, 2A, 9, 16, Pommard, Calera, Mount Eden, Swan and Merry Edwards). 40% of the fruit was fermented as whole clusters with 60% gently destemmed in small (1.5 ton) open-top fermenters. Total skin and stem contact averaged 30 days (7 day cold soak, 2+ weeks of fermentation and 1+ week extended maceration). From the press, the wine was transferred directly into neutral French oak barrels where it remained sur lie without sulfur until May. It was gently racked in May and bottled in August. 

Tasting Notes: Soft garnet in color, delicate aromatics of oolong tea, mandarin orange, gardenia and sandalwood spring from the glass. Fruit components of pomegranate reduction, currants and guava weave along the palate with spice and herbal notes of pink peppercorn, thyme, clove and fennel seed. The mouthfeel is plush and velvety yet finishes with elegance and drive.